Hill School, Eldoret

Shared by Henry Kibiwott Chebii in The Wonders of Sergoit Hills Facebook group.

Hill School in Eldoret has an interesting history. Originally, it served the white population of western Kenya and Uganda. Many families would travel by train to bring their children to this school in the highlands for a good education.

In the early days, most settlers in Eldoret were Afrikaners, who were white settlers from South Africa. They wanted their children to be taught in Afrikaans, their native language, instead of English. So, they started a school called the Central School of Eldoret at the site where Hill School stands today.

However, the British administration did not agree with this. They wanted English to be the language of instruction in schools. This disagreement led to the establishment of Hill School in 1944. The new school aimed to provide education in English. In 1956, Hill School and the Afrikaner school merged, creating a single institution.

After Kenya gained independence in 1963, Hill School began to change. It started accepting students from all races, reflecting the new spirit of equality and unity in the country. This was a significant shift from its earlier days when it only served the white population.

Today, Hill School is a well-known and respected institution in Eldoret. It has a rich history that shows how the town and the country have evolved over the years. The school stands as a symbol of progress and the journey towards inclusive education for all. It continues to provide quality education to students from diverse backgrounds, honoring its legacy while embracing the future.

Attached is a photo of Hill School, likely taken around 1955.

First shared in The Wonders of Sergoit Hills Facebook group. Editor's note: accounts differ on the early names and dates of the Eldoret schools. Other posts in this archive describe the Afrikaner school as Highlands School, today Moi Girls High School, with the British children attending Hill School.

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